The second assault ended in a resounding victory for Orb. Everyone was exhilarated, for their god of war had led them to triumph. Even with the MS units redeployed and the enemy's main forces arriving, the invaders still failed to capture Izanagi Port. Orb stood tall and unbroken like a pine tree!
But this joy quickly vanished without a trace. All remaining defense forces received orders to dismantle their positions, scuttle tanks and aircraft, and forbid the naval fleet from engaging further. They were to await surrender to the Earth Forces.
"Why? Why should we surrender?"
"Aren't we the victors? We repelled two attacks from the Earth Forces—we can do it again next time!"
"No matter how many times they come! We'd rather die than surrender!"
"Enough! Silence!"
Facing the protests of the rank-and-file soldiers, the unit commanders sharply reprimanded them. As officers, they weren't as naive as their subordinates, believing that repelling one or two attacks meant they could defeat the Atlantic Federation.
First, supplies were critically low. Orb's reserves were nearly exhausted. Even if they miraculously held out against a third assault, what about the fourth? The fifth? Without supplies, how could they fight?
Second, the Atlantic Federation hadn't even committed its full strength. While the attacking forces seemed massive, they were only the Third and Fourth Fleets. Even if Orb annihilated them, what about the First and Second Fleets? The Fifth and Sixth? As long as the Atlantic Federation remained intact, they could send endless reinforcements, while Orb's forces dwindled with each battle. Once their soldiers were gone, defeat was inevitable.
Third, the Atlantic Federation was just one part of the Earth Alliance. If they repelled the Atlantic Federation, what about the Eurasian Federation? The East Asian Republic? Orb had already drawn their wariness. If they crushed the Atlantic Federation, the other member states would never stand idly by.
Fourth, they couldn't ignore ZAFT lurking on the sidelines. Even if they defeated the Atlantic Federation and the Earth Alliance, how much strength would Orb have left to resist ZAFT?
Though it was bitter to accept, the truth was undeniable—this was a war Orb could not win. There was no path to victory. The only option was to preserve their strength and seek rebirth.
Unlike the other units, the Archangel and the remaining Special Forces First Squadron were ordered to head for Kaguya—Orb's mass driver facility—where Uzimi himself would deliver their next orders.
"Evacuate Orb? You're telling us to flee? Sir Uzimi?" Murrue asked in disbelief.
"I believe you all can see it too—Orb's fall is only a matter of time."
"F-Father... what are you saying? Didn't we just repel another Earth Forces attack? Yang Hui is so strong, he can surely..." Having witnessed Yang Hui's overwhelming dominance on the battlefield piloting the Dawn Gundam, she had been brimming with confidence, certain that Orb would achieve final victory. But this newfound conviction was shattered almost immediately by Uzimi's words.
"It's impossible. Yang Hui is also human, and he gets tired too. The remaining supplies aren't enough to repel another attack," Uzumi explained to everyone—though his words were really meant for Cagalli. Those present—Murrue, Natarle Badgiruel, Mu, Kira, Athrun, Dearka, and Nicol—should all understand this reality.
"But... but..."
"Fortunately, all civilians were evacuated from the homeland before the fighting began. Their livelihoods can still be secured afterward. As for the blame... we will bear it."
"This..."
"However, even if Orb falls, there are things we must protect. Behind the Earth Forces stands Muruta Azrael, leader of Blue Cosmos. And according to the intelligence Yang Hui and the others have gathered, there are even darker conspirators lurking behind Blue Cosmos. Meanwhile, PLANT is now controlled by Patrick Zala, who advocates that Coordinators are a superior species. If this continues, the world will be torn apart by endless conflict between two irreconcilable forces, manipulated by the true masterminds in the shadows. Is that the future you want to accept?"
"If you can envision another future, then carry this small spark with you and set out toward it."
"The road ahead is fraught with thorns, but I believe you understand my choice—the choice of everyone here."
Everyone lowered their heads, unable to meet Uzumi's gaze. They all knew the fate awaiting those who stayed behind. Orb had inflicted heavy losses on the Atlantic Federation, and the enemy would not let it go unpunished.
"Wait! What about Yang Hui? He can definitely think of a way! Where is he? Why isn't he here?" Cagalli suddenly asked.
"Yang Hui has his own tasks to attend to. Now, all of you should go and prepare."
As the group dispersed, the Archangel and the Kusanagi lined up at Kaguya, ready to use the mass driver to launch into space. Since the Atlantic Federation forces had been severely weakened, the Archangel wouldn't need to take such risks—the Kusanagi's backup boosters would suffice, eliminating the need for further acceleration via Lohengrin's electromagnetic interference.
Similarly, all Mobile Suits except the Dawn Gundam boarded either the Archangel or the Kusanagi.
"We should stay and help."
"That's right. The Freedom and Justice have flight capabilities. Even though the Atlantic Federation forces are mostly crippled, we don't know if they have reserves. If you're alone..."
Kira and Athrun tried to persuade Yang Hui to let them stay and assist. The other Mobile Suits lacked atmospheric flight capabilities and had to depart with the ships, but the Freedom and Justice Gundams could remain to support Yang Hui, boarding the Kusanagi just before its launch.
"No need. The Atlantic Federation doesn't have many forces left. I can hold them off alone, and it'll be easier for me to escape by myself," Yang Hui replied.
"But..."
"Go and prepare. The Archangel will launch soon."
"...Yang Hui, you have to follow us."
"Mm."
Kira and Athrun, persuaded by Yang Hui, boarded the Archangel piloting the Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam. They tacitly avoided mentioning Uzumi and the others. Anyone unfamiliar with Yang Hui might assume he had coldly abandoned them to bear the blame.
But Kira and Athrun knew Yang Hui well—if there had been any way to save them, he would never have stood by. The fact that he didn't intervene meant Uzumi and the others had convinced him. They had chosen to stay.
"Yang Hui."
"Murrue, launch as soon as you're ready."
"Understood. Make sure you follow us!"
"Of course. What kind of leader would I be if I got left behind while all of you went to space?"
"Ugh, can you ever be serious?" Murrue's cheeks flushed slightly. She knew exactly who Yang Hui meant by "all of you"—not just their comrades, but her, Natarle Badgiruel, Sumeragi, and Wang Liu Mei.
"Stay safe."
"You too."
The communication ended, and Yang Hui sat alone in the cockpit, eyes closed, resting. The Innovator Mode had been crucial in swiftly eliminating the five Strike Gundam Es that had surrounded him, but without sufficient GN Particles to sustain it, the strain had been immense. He needed every second of recovery before the next wave of attacks.
The Dawn Gundam stood alone beside the Kaguya, its imposing stance like that of an invincible war god.
Beep beep beep—
Yang Hui had barely rested for a few minutes when a communication request chimed in. But the moment he saw who it was from, his brow furrowed, and he cut it off immediately.
Beep beep beep—
It rang again. He rejected it again, then shut down the Dawn Gundam's comm system entirely, returning to his rest.
Truthfully, he wasn't sure if Muruta Azrael had more hidden forces. This assault on Orb had already exceeded expectations—not just the Raider, Forbidden, and Calamity Gundams, but ten additional Strike Gundam Es. Yang Hui couldn't help but worry about further surprises.
"Confirmed—all personnel outside Sector C have evacuated. All systems ready. Archangel, final launch sequence initiated—"
The Archangel took off, soaring into the sky from the Mass Driver.
"One more to go." With the Archangel successfully launched, half of Yang Hui's mission was complete. Now, only the Kusanagi remained.
Beep beep beep—
"Tch. Of course they wouldn't let us go that easily." Two red dots rapidly approached on the radar. Gritting his teeth, Yang Hui immediately powered up the Dawn Gundam and surged forward to intercept.
——
"Useless! Every last one of them!" Muruta Azrael roared as the Raider, Forbidden, and Calamity Gundams returned in tatters—not to mention the ten Strike Gundam Es whose signals had already been lost. "Even after all that reinforcement, they still couldn't win! Worthless trash!"
"..."
The officers present swallowed their anger in silence. This entire battle had been under Muruta Azrael's command—a businessman who knew nothing about military strategy. Yet he had been so arrogantly confident in his new Mobile Suits that he issued reckless orders like "Charge!" and "Hurry up!"—directly contributing to the devastating losses among the MS units.
As a result, not only did they fail to capture Orb, but more than half of their confident new Mobile Suits were destroyed. Among the three that survived, one was rendered inoperable, while the other two required urgent repairs and couldn't be deployed anytime soon.
"Ah! No, I'm already starting to miss dining on land. How many troops do we have left? Send them all out! We must take Orb down!"
"Mr. Azrael , this… the MS units have already suffered an 80% casualty rate. Even your prized—"
"Hmm?" Touched on a sore spot, Muruta Azrael glared at the officer who spoke. "Are you lecturing me?"
"I wouldn't dare…"
"Then follow my orders! Deploy all remaining forces! Crush Orb!"
"...Understood."
"Also, the Gundam Raider and Forbidden aren't too badly damaged, right? Are they repaired yet?"
"...The Gundam Raider 's repairs are complete. The Forbidden needs five more minutes."
"Hurry up! Have them sortie. If their Mobile Suits aren't ready, let them pilot Daggers—just get them out there—"
"Report! Orb's forces have retreated entirely to Kaguya."
"Kaguya? Heh, planning a last stand, are they? Perfect, we'll wipe them out in one go—"
"Report! Orb Military is making a move… It's the Archangel! The Archangel is using the Mass Driver!"
"What!?" Hearing this, Muruta Azrael quickly turned to the window, watching as the Archangel launched from the Mass Driver, its long exhaust trail carrying it into space. A sense of foreboding gripped him.
"Sortie now! Hurry!"
"Yes, sir!"